Toothless Wolves leave Jones fearing the worst again

Millwall 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

Wolverhampton's record of only one defeat in a dozen games remains an impressive sequence. Yet for all of the work, effort and not a little artistry with which they imbued their performance at The Den yesterday, an inability to transform so many assets into real control suggests frustration ahead.

That they scored early and, in spite of Millwall's best efforts, shaded the game's more inventive moments, yet still had to share the points, hinted at a lack of incisiveness that could be damaging. Their manager, Dave Jones, agreed: "Once we got in front we didn't hammer home our authority."

The evidence so far this season in the First Division gives much the same impression as it did this time last year. Recent scuffles included, Portsmouth still seem as sure of promotion as Manchester City were last term, but the feeling is that there is not much to chose between the top half-dozen. In theory, Wolves are play-off material, but they came to yesterday's match having slipped beneath the top six and without any assistance from their fans, Millwall having banned away supporters.

So taking a fifth-minute lead brought them quick encouragement, albeit to a silent response. Carlton Cole brought the ball under tight control on the left side and spotted the former Millwall player, Mark Kennedy, creating space in the penalty area. A neat pass inside and Kennedy was able to beat Tony Warner at the far post.

Paul Ince, back in the Wolves side after injury, keenly wanted to ensure that old adversary Dennis Wise was not able to inspire an immediate response. Admittedly, Paul Ifill did force an important blocking save from Matt Murray but Wolves probed and prodded and looked smart on the break.

Their striking partnership of Cole and Dean Sturridge was a constant threat while Millwall's equivalent of Steve Claridge and 19-year-old Kevin Braniff had fewer opportunities yet took some controlling. Braniff works the open areas with instinctive insight, though for sheer pace no one matched Cole.

On balance the arrival of half time with the hard-working teams level was justified. The equaliser came about in the 43rd minute when Wise placed a corner within reach of Murray who punched the ball out, though only as far as Andy Roberts just inside the penalty area. His instant drive flew back past Murray.

Wise had gradually become a greater influence in midfield than Ince and, clearly, Ince was unhappy about the situation. The two warriors maybe past their best but no one would dare tell them. Similarly, Claridge tore around in the Millwall attack with such distracting exuberance that his junior partner benefited from having defenders magnetised out of position.

Wolves settled into the second half playing some enterprising and productive football without conjuring the final strike. Cole lost his edge and was substituted while Sturridge lost his sense of direction when offered a goal, defended only by Warner, yet blasted his shot wide of the post.

As Millwall fought more determinedly so it seemed that Wolves might pay dearly for their error. Indeed, but for some careless final passes, Millwall might have taken control in the first 15 minutes of the second period.

In terms of thoughtful play, Wolves remained the more positive. Alex Rae and Ince closed gaps and broke up attacks while, when he came on, George Ndah pushed forward brightly although he was guilty of slicing the ball across the face of the Millwall goal when placing it in seemed the easier option.